Criminal Investigations of Organised Crime
Publication - January 2024
Producing evidence that can be used in court is a central goal of criminal investigations. Forensic science focuses with considerable success on the production of pieces of evidence from specific sources. However, less is known about how a team of investigating police officers progressively produces a body of evidence during the course of a criminal investigation.
Weickian Sensemaking in Criminal Investigations
This literature review uses Weickian sensemaking to analyse what is known about this process in criminal investigations into organised crime. Focusing on the criminal investigation team, collective sensemaking is used as a lens through which to place the reasoning processes used in constructing evidence in a social context.
Components of Collective Sensemaking
In addition to describing 3 constituent parts of collective sensemaking relevant for criminal investigations, 6 factors are identified that influence the quality of collective sensemaking.
Focal Points for Analysing Sensemaking Processes
Building on these results, 9 focal points are presented for analysing the sensemaking processes in a criminal investigation team, aimed at advancing knowledge about the production of evidence in criminal investigations of organised crime. Furthermore, a definition of evidence is developed that is suitable for studying sensemaking in the context of an ongoing criminal investigation.
Authors
- Coen Visser
- Arjan Markus
- Christianne de Poot
- Nicolien Kop
- Mathieu Weggeman
Forensic Science research group
From DNA testing to chemical analysis: modern techniques enable examination, in minute detail, of crime-scene materials. However, success and fairness depend on correct interpretation and evaluation. The Forensic Science research group is making an important contribution via its work with the police and other parties in the criminal justice chain.